Motor vehicle equipment module

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a motor vehicle equipment module ( 30 ) of the type comprising at least first and second components ( 32, 34 ) whereof first and second fixing zones ( 50, 52 ) are designed to be fixed to a structural element ( 12 ) of the vehicle with a common fixing element, such as a screw. The invention is characterised in that it comprises linking means ( 60 ) which link together the two components ( 32, 34 ) when the module is delivered ( 30 ) to be mounted on the vehicle structural element, and an elastic element ( 62 ) is axially interposed between the linking means ( 60 ) and the second component ( 34 ), and the linking means ( 60 ) are interposed between the common fixing element ( 54 ) and the structural element ( 12 ), when the module ( 30 ) is fixed.

[0001] The invention proposes a motor vehicle equipment module.

[0002] The invention proposes more particularly a motor vehicle equipment module of the type which comprises at least first and second components which are intended to be fixed to a structure element of the vehicle by a fixing element, such as a screw.

[0003] Motor vehicles generally comprise a rear door in which there is produced an opening which is closed off by a glazed panel. In some cases, the vehicles comprise a wiping device for the glazed panel.

[0004] The wiping device comprises a drive shaft for a wiper blade which is driven in rotation by an electric motor and which is guided in rotation by a bearing which passes axially towards the outside of the wall of the rear door.

[0005] When the glazed panel is mounted so as to pivot with respect to the door between an open position and a closed position, the vehicle comprises a lock for locking the position of the glazed panel with respect to the fixed part of the door.

[0006] The locking lock consists of a mechanism comprising a bolt which is fixed to the fixed part of the door and a keeper which is fixed to the glazed panel so that, when the latter is in the closed position, the bolt cooperates with the keeper so as to immobilise it. This locks the position of the glazed panel.

[0007] Thus the door is equipped with a module consisting of a wiping device and a locking lock.

[0008] The equipment module can also comprise an illuminating light, in particular a brake light, a support element of which can be pressed against the internal rear face of the glazed panel.

[0009] When the guide motor is in operation, it causes vibrations which are transmitted to the structure element of the vehicle.

[0010] The vibrations may cause accelerated aging of the elements which are situated close by, such as the illuminating system of the brake light. They may also cause the fixing elements to become loosened and the wiping device to be immobilised on the vehicle door, which causes the appearance of play.

[0011] In a similar manner, the functioning of the vehicle causes vibrations which are transmitted to the drive motor. This may in particular cause accelerated aging of the motor as well as loosening of the fixing elements and immobilisation of the wiping device on the vehicle door.

[0012] In addition, they produce noise which is detrimental to the comfort of the occupants of the vehicle and impairs the quality image of the vehicle.

[0013] So as to resolve these problems, it is known how to interpose damping elements at the drive motor fixing area so as to decouple them from the structure element of the vehicle and thus to damp and filter these vibrations.

[0014] For the purpose of simplifying the module when it consists of a wiping device and a stop device, it is known that the two components are fixed together with a view to their supply and fixing to the structure element.

[0015] However, when the door is slammed so as to close it, the motor is subjected to a slight movement of around a few millimetres which is due to its inertia, and to the elasticity of the damping elements. The motor then drives the brake light, whose support element is detached from the rear face of the glazed panel and then, when the module elastically returns, is once again put in contact with the glazed panel.

[0016] The elastic return of the module then causes an impact of the support element of the brake light on the glazed panel, which accelerates the aging of the lighting system and produces a noise.

[0017] When the module consists of the wiping device to which the lock is fixed, its movement due to the closure of the glazed panel may cause a shifting of the bolt, such that it can no longer cooperate with the keeper.

[0018] In addition, in general terms, the contour of the opening in the door comprises a seal which provides the impermeability of the inside of the vehicle when the glazed panel is closed.

[0019] When the glazed panel is closed the seal is compressed, and its elastic return is limited by the lock. However, the elastic force exerted by the seal causes the compression of the damping elements. The continuous and prolonged application of this force causes plastic flow of the damping elements and consequently loss of their effectiveness.

[0020] So as to remedy these drawbacks, the invention proposes a motor vehicle equipment module of the type which comprises at least first and second components, first and second fixing areas of which, which consist in particular of plates in which orifices are produced, are intended to be fixed to a structure element of the vehicle by means of a common fixing element, and of the type where an elastic element is interposed between the second fixing area and the structure element,

[0021] characterised in that it comprises connecting means which connect the first and second fixing areas, so as to connect the two components together when the module is supplied with a view to its mounting on the structure element of the vehicle, in that the elastic element is interposed axially between the connecting means and the second fixing area of the second component, and in that the connecting means are interposed between the common fixing element and the structure element when the module is fixed so that the first component is immobilised with respect to the structure element and the second component is mechanically decoupled with respect to the first component, in particular with a view to filtering the vibrations.

[0022] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0023] the connecting means comprise a strut in which there are at least partially formed a first external radial groove which axially immobilises the first fixing area of the first component and a second radial groove which receives the elastic decoupling element;

[0024] the strut comprises a stepped tube which has the common fixing element pass through it axially when the module is fixed, the first groove is produced by crimping the free end of the smallest-diameter portion of the tube on the first fixing area, and the second groove is produced by the first flat fixing area of the first component which extends radially from the first groove, and by a collar on the tube which extends radially towards the outside of the tube from the free end of the largest-diameter portion;

[0025] the strut comprises a tube on the outside diameter of which there is produced a radially oriented rib intended to form a rearward axial stop for the elastic element and a forward axial stop for the first fixing area of the first component, and the free ends are formed radially so as to form the first and second grooves for connecting the two components together;

[0026] the strut comprises at least two elements each forming at least partially the first and second radial grooves;

[0027] the strut comprises first and second elements which each have at their opposite axial free ends a radial collar which each form an axial stop for the first fixing area and the elastic element in opposite directions respectively, and a third element, interposed axially between the first two elements, has a radial rib which forms a common axial stop for the elastic element and the first fixing area;

[0028] the external cylindrical walls of the first two elements comprise projecting or recessed radial shapes which cooperate with recessed or projecting shapes respectively on the internal cylindrical wall of the third element in order to hold together the elements of the strut when the module is supplied;

[0029] at least one of the components is a lock for locking the position of a glazed panel on the vehicle;

[0030] at least one of the components is a device for wiping a glazed panel on the vehicle;

[0031] at least one of the components is an indicator light, such as a brake light.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from a reading of the following detailed description, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, amongst which:

[0033]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rear door of a motor vehicle equipped with an equipment module produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view to a large scale of the components of an equipment module produced according to a first embodiment in accordance with the teachings of the invention, before they are assembled;

[0035]FIG. 3 is a view similar to that depicted in the previous figures, the components of the module produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention being assembled;

[0036]FIG. 4 is a view similar to that depicted in the previous figure, the module produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention being fixed to the door;

[0037]FIG. 5 is an exploded partial perspective view to a large scale of the components of an equipment module produced according to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention, before they are assembled;

[0038]FIG. 6 is a view similar to that depicted in the previous figure, the assembled module being fixed to the door;

[0039]FIG. 7 is an exploded partial perspective view to a large scale of the components of an equipment module produced according to a second embodiment in accordance with the teachings of the invention, before they are assembled;

[0040]FIG. 8 is a view similar to that depicted in the previous figure, the components of the module produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention being assembled;

[0041]FIG. 9 is a view similar to that depicted in the previous figure, the assembled module being fixed to the door.

[0042] In the remainder of the description, the vehicle equipment module comprises, by way of non-limiting example, a lock and a wiping device.

[0043] Other components such as a stop light, a rear vision device and/or a light for illuminating the number plate, can be integrated in the module without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0044] So as to facilitate understanding of the description a front, rear, and top, bottom orientation will be used, non-limitingly, in accordance with the left to right and top to bottom orientation in FIG. 1.

[0045]FIG. 1 partially depicts schematically a structure element which is here a rear door or tailgate 12 which can be mounted so as to be articulated with respect to the structure of a vehicle according to a substantially horizontal orientation axis.

[0046] The rear door 12 comprises in its top part an opening 16 which is closed off by a movable part which is here a glazed panel 18.

[0047] The glazed panel 18 can consist of a reinforcing and fixing frame which receives a window pane. The reinforcing and fixing frame connects the window pane to the door 12 of the vehicle by means of connecting means, not shown.

[0048] The glazed panel 18 can also simply consist of a window pane which is directly connected to the door 12 of the vehicle by means of the connecting means.

[0049] The glazed panel 18 is mounted so as to be able to move between a closed position depicted in continuous lines and an open position depicted in broken lines in FIG. 1.

[0050] The rear door 12 is equipped in a bottom area 24 with an equipment module 30 which comprises two components which are here for example a lock 32 and a device 34 for wiping the window pane of the glazed panel 18.

[0051] The lock 32 consists of a mechanism comprising a bolt which is arranged in a housing 36 mounted on the bottom area 24 of the rear door 12 and a keeper 38 which is mounted on the internal face of the glazed panel 18.

[0052] When the glazed panel 18 is in the closed position, the keeper 38 is received in a complementary vertical slot 40 in the housing 36 which opens out towards the rear, and cooperates with the bolt, able to provide the locking of the keeper 38 in the front bottom of the slot 40 so as to prevent its movement is towards the front and to lock the glazed panel 18 in the closed position.

[0053] The bolt is an element able to move between a locking position which locks the keeper 38 in the rear bottom of the slot 40, and an open position in which the keeper 38 can freely emerge from the slot 40 towards the rear so as to allow the pivoting of the glazed panel 18 towards its open position.

[0054] So as to compensate for any differences in position of the keeper and bolt, the keeper 30 is fixed to the glazed panel 18 by adjustable means (not shown), that is to say for example by studs whose diameter is less than the fixing orifices in the keeper 38 which they pass through. Thus, when the equipment module 30 is fixed to the door 12, the position of the keeper 38 is determined according to that of the bolt.

[0055] The bolt can be returned to the locking position by elastic means such as a spring, the release of the keeper 38 then being obtained by the actuation of an opening handle which controls the passage of the bolt to the open position.

[0056] Thus, when the user wishes to manoeuvre the glazed panel 18 towards its open position, he actuates the opening handle and concomitantly exerts a rearward force on the glazed panel 18.

[0057] In accordance with the depiction in FIG. 1, the bolt can be motorised, in particular by an electric motor. Thus the locking or release of the keeper 38 is obtained by the control of an electrical circuit. Opening the panel then results from a rearward force exerted on the handle 41.

[0058] The wiping device 32 consists principally of a drive motor 42 and a rear bearing 44 fixed to the rear opening 12. The rear bearing 44 rotatably receives axially a shaft 46 driving a wiper arm, not shown.

[0059] The rear bearing 44 comprises an axial barrel 48 which passes through the rear opening 12.

[0060] So as to allow fixing to the rear door 12, the housing 36 of the lock 32 and the wiping device 34 comprise first and second fixing areas 50 and 52 respectively, which consist advantageously of transversely oriented flat areas of the housing 36 of the lock 3.2 and a wiping device 32 in each of which there is produced a fixing orifice 56, 58 respectively.

[0061] An equipment module of this type can comprise common fixing elements 54 which pass through the orifices in the first and second fixing areas 50 and 52 of the lock and of the wiping device 34.

[0062] Here the equipment module 30 comprises two common fixing elements 54.

[0063] This makes it possible to omit two fixing elements. This is because the lock 32 comprises two fixing areas 50 and the wiping device 34 comprises three of them. Fixing the equipment module 30 requires only three fixing elements instead of five.

[0064] In the remainder of the description, the assembly of only first and second fixing areas 50 and 52 of an equipment module 30 will be described.

[0065] In accordance with the invention, so as to facilitate the mounting of the module 30 on the door 12, the lock 32 and the wiping device 34 are connected together by connecting means 30 when the module is supplied with a view to its mounting on the door 12. Thus the two components 32 and 34 are connected and pre-positioned with respect to each other, which facilitates in particular their storage as well as the manipulations of the operator.

[0066] In accordance with FIGS. 2 to 9, an elastic element 62 is interposed axially between the connecting means 60 and the second fixing area 52 of the wiping device 34.

[0067] In addition, the connecting means 60 are interposed between the common fixing element 54 and the rear door 12, when the module 30 is fixed to the door 12, so that the housing 36 carrying the bolt of the lock 32 is immobilised with respect to the door 12 and the wiping device 34 is mechanically decoupled with respect to the rear door 12.

[0068] Thus, when the glazed panel 18 is slammed with a view to its closure, the keeper 38 engages in the slot 34 of the housing 36 and cooperates with the bolt.

[0069] The elastic element 62 which forms a damper mechanically decouples the wiping device 34 with respect to the lock 32. The elastic element 62 allows a relative movement of the wiping device 34 with respect to the lock 32. Thus the vibrations which are caused in particular by the wiping device 34 during its functioning and when the glazed panel 18 is slammed on the recess 18 of the door 12 are not transmitted to the connecting means 60. They are damped by the elastic element 62.

[0070] Thus the elastic element 62 protects the environment of the wiping device 34 against its vibrations, which increases the service life of the module and limits the production of noise.

[0071] In the remainder of the description, two embodiments of the equipment module 30 will be proposed by way of non-limiting examples.

[0072] FIGS. 2 to 4 depict a first embodiment of components of the equipment module 30.

[0073] The connecting means 60 comprise a strut 64 consisting of a stepped tube which is for example produced from metal.

[0074] The stepped tube has a first rear portion 68 of diameter D1 and a second front portion 70 of diameter D2 greater than D1.

[0075] The front free end 72 of the second front portion 70 is folded radially towards the outside so as to form a collar 74.

[0076] The elastic element 62 is here tubular in shape, the inside diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter D2 of the second front portion 70 and whose length corresponds to the length of the second front portion 70.

[0077] A groove 76, which is produced substantially in a transverse mid-plane of the elastic element 62, extends radially from the external tubular wall 78 towards the inside and makes it possible to receive the orifice 58 in the second fixing area 52 of the wiping device 34.

[0078] Thus the preliminary assembly of the module 30 with a view to its supply consists of slipping the elastic element 62 onto the second front portion 70 until it comes into axial abutment against the collar 74.

[0079] Next the first rear portion 68 is introduced into the orifice 56 in the first fixing area 50, so that the first fixing area 50 comes into axial abutment against the annular shoulder 80 which extends radially between the first rear portion 68 and the second front portion 70. In this position, the first fixing area 50 forms an axial rearward stop of the elastic element 62 and consequently of the second fixing area 52 of the wiping device 34.

[0080] The assembly of the equipment module 30 is terminated, in accordance with FIG. 3, by the crimping of the free end 82 of the first front portion 68 on the first fixing area 50.

[0081] The crimping of the free end 82 makes it possible to produce a first groove 80 which receives and axially immobilises the first fixing area 50 of the lock 32 with respect to the connecting means 60.

[0082] The second fixing area 52 of the wiping device 34 is held with respect to the connecting means 60 by the elastic decoupling elements 62 which is received in a second radial groove 86 produced between the collar 74 and the first fixing area 50.

[0083] Thus the connecting means 60 connect the first and second fixing areas 50 and 52 of the lock 32 and of the wiping device 34 with a view to the mounting of the module 30 on the vehicle door 12.

[0084] When the module 30 is fixed to the door 12, a common fixing element 54 such as a screw 88 is introduced from front to rear into the connecting means 60. In accordance with FIG. 4, the shank 90 of the screw is engaged in a corresponding thread 92 in the door 12. Screwing the screw 88 tightens the head 94 of the screw 88 on the annular shoulder 80 so as to fix the connecting means 60 against the door 12.

[0085] The common fixing element 54 can also be a stud which extends towards the front from the door 12 so as to pass through the connecting means 60 and which is associated with a fixing nut which axially locks the module 30.

[0086] According to a variant embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the strut 64 of the connecting means 60 comprises a tube in the external cylindrical wall of which there is produced a radially oriented rib 96 which forms an axial rearward stop for the elastic element 62 and a forward axial stop for the first fixing area 50 of the lock 32.

[0087] The assembly of the module 30 then consists of slipping the elastic element 62 and the first fixing area 50 onto the tube on each side of the stop rib 96, and then radially deforming, for example by crimping, the front,72 and rear 82 free ends so as to immobilise the elastic element 62 and the first fixing area 50 with respect to the strut 64.

[0088] Next the equipment module 30 is fixed to the door 12 by a screw 88 which comes into abutment on the front collar 74, in accordance with FIG. 6.

[0089] FIGS. 7 to 9 depict a second embodiment of the components of the equipment module 30.

[0090] The strut 64 comprises here first and second tubular elements 100 and 102 which each have a cylindrical skirt 101 and 103 at the opposite axial free ends of which extend radial collars 104 and 106 which are each intended to form an axial stop for the first fixing area 50 and the elastic element 62 respectively.

[0091] Advantageously, so as to facilitate the production of the connecting means 60, the first and second tubular elements 100 and 102 are identical. They may be produced for example by moulding from a plastics material.

[0092] The strut 64 also comprises a third intermediate annular element 108 which makes it possible, when the equipment module 30 is assembled, to form a common axial stop for the first fixing area 50 and the elastic element 62 by means of a collar 110 which extends radially the outside.

[0093] This is because, in accordance with FIG. 8, the first radial groove 84 which receives the first fixing area 50 is delimited axially towards the rear by the radial collar 104 of the first tubular element 100 and towards the front by the radial collar 110 of the third intermediate element 108. In a similar fashion, the second groove 86 which receives the elastic element 62 is delimited axially towards the rear by the radial collar 110 of the third intermediate tubular element 108 and towards the front by the radial collar 106 of the second tubular element 102.

[0094] The intermediate element 108 also makes it possible to axially hold the first and second tubular elements 100 and 102 so as to hold between them the elements 100 and 102 of the strut 64 after their assembly when the module 30 is supplied, in accordance with FIG. 9.

[0095] For this purpose, the external cylindrical walls 112 and 114 of the skirts 101 and 102 comprise annular ribs 116 and 118 respectively which cooperate, when the three elements 100, 102, 108 are assembled, with grooves 120 and 122 produced in the internal cylindrical wall 124 of the third element 108.

[0096] When the module 30 is fixed to the door 12, a screw 88 is introduced from front to rear in the connecting means 60. In accordance with FIG. 9, the shank 90 of the screw is engaged in a corresponding thread 92 in the door 12. Screwing the screw 88 tightens the head 94 of the screw 88 on the collar 106 of the second element 102 so as to compress the first element 100 against the door 12 by means of the third element 108. 

1. A motor vehicle equipment module (30) of the type which comprises at least first and second components (32, 34), first and second fixing areas (50, 52) of which, which consist in particular of plates in which orifices (56, 58) are produced, are intended to be fixed to a structure element (12) of the vehicle by means of a common fixing element (54), and of the type where an elastic element is interposed between the second fixing area and the structure element (12), characterised in that it comprises connecting means (60) which connect the first and second fixing areas (50, 52), so as to connect the two components (32, 34) together when the module (30) is supplied with a view to its mounting on the structure element (12) of the vehicle, in that the elastic element (62) is interposed axially between the connecting means (60) and the second fixing area (52) of the second component (34), and in that the connecting means (60) are interposed between the common fixing element (54) and the structure element (12) when the module (30) is fixed so that the first component (32) is immobilised with respect to the structure element (12) and the second component (34) is mechanically decoupled with respect to the first component (32), in particular with a view to filtering the vibrations.
 2. An equipment module (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the connecting means (60) comprise a strut (64) in which there are at least partially formed a first external radial groove (84) which axially immobilises the first fixing area (50) of the first component (32) and a second radial groove (86) which receives the elastic decoupling element (62).
 3. An equipment module (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the strut (64) comprises a stepped tube which has the common fixing element (54) pass through it axially when the module (30) is fixed, in that the first groove (84) is produced by crimping the free end (82) of the smallest-diameter portion (68) of the tube on the first fixing area (50), and in that the second groove (86) is produced by the first flat fixing area (50) of the first component (32) which extends radially from the first groove (84), and by a collar (74) on the tube which extends radially towards the outside of the tube from the free end of the largest-diameter portion (70).
 4. An equipment module (30) according to claim 2, characterised in that the strut (64) comprises a tube on the outside diameter of which is produced a radially oriented rib (96) intended to form a rearward axial stop for the elastic element (62) and a forward axial stop for the first fixing area (50) of the first component (32), and in that the free ends (72, 82) are formed radially so as to form the first and second grooves (84, 86) for connecting the two components (32, 34) together.
 5. An equipment module (30) according to claim 2, characterised in that the strut (64) comprises at least two elements (100, 102, 108) each forming at least partially the first and second radial grooves (84, 86).
 6. An equipment module (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the strut (64) comprises first and second elements (100, 102) which each have at their opposite axial free ends a radial collar (104, 106) which each form an axial stop for the first fixing area (50) and the elastic element (60) in opposite directions respectively, and in that a third element (108), interposed axially between the first two elements (100, 102), has a radial rib (110) which forms a common axial stop for the elastic element (62) and the first fixing area (50).
 7. An equipment module (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the external cylindrical walls (112, 114) of the first two elements (100, 102) comprise projecting (116, 118) or recessed radial shapes which cooperate with recessed (120, 122) or projecting shapes respectively on the internal cylindrical wall (124) of the third element (108) in order to hold together the elements of the strut (64) when the module (30) is supplied.
 8. An equipment module (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the components is a lock (34) for locking the position of a glazed panel (18) on the vehicle.
 9. An equipment module (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the components is a device (34) for wiping a glazed panel (18) on the vehicle.
 10. An equipment module (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the components is an indicator light, such as a brake light. 